Top 10 Interview Tips

Once your resume lands you an interview, you’re almost at the finish line. All that’s left is to seal the deal during your interview. While many people will tell you to “sit up straight” or “dress to impress,” there are some other interview tips that are much more important than this.

Before Your Interview

Did you know that your interview actually starts before you even meet the interviewer? There are some things you should do ahead of time:

Today, there’s so much content available about companies, you really should review it. Use the data you find to your advantage by quoting this information when answering the interviewer’s questions. Don’t overdo it, though!

Turn on your Google Alerts so you’ll receive an email each time a company appears in the news. You’ll also want to set up alerts about the industry you work in so you’re “armed with” those facts too.

Take a look at your social media accounts because 91% of employers will look through them for any red flags. If you feel you’ve ever uploaded something questionable, use Social Sweepster to get rid of those pictures and profanity.

If at all possible, schedule your interview for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday at 10:30AM. According to Glassdoor this is a great time because Mondays and Fridays are time to gear up or wind down (same with the first and last hours of the day. The only time you should accept an early morning interview is when the company needs to make a quick decision because people unconsciously choose their first option. You also don’t want an interview near lunchtime because the interviewer will either be too tired or have eaten too much to concentrate.

The first thing interviewers want to know about is you. Instead of boring the interviewer to death, start and end with focus on your professional experience. Answer this question in the form of a statement, showing you’re a person too (e.g. If you’re interviewing for Apple, start by telling the interviewer about your first computer experience and explain how your passion grew from there.).

Make a subtle fashion statement by wearing something that demonstrates your culture or your background. When the interviewer asks about it, you can now discuss how it relates to who you are.

Be ready to answer, “What’s your weakness?” This is a time to not only admit your weakness, but show how you overcome it.

Prepare to share your fascinating experiences. Start by noting the problem, then share what action you took to solve it and end by sharing the outcome.

During Your Interview

When the big day finally arrives, you want to make sure you’re on top of your game. Now is the time to impress your interviewer by:

When asked a difficult analytical question, think it through out loud. Then when you assume something that’s a bit off, it’s understandable because you’ve communicated how you reached your assumption. This is also a great way to demonstrate your communication skills.

At the end of the interview you get to ask your own set of questions. Take the opportunity to ask a genuine question while also telling the interviewer something new about yourself. This works to your benefit when you haven’t found a natural way of sharing an accomplishment or a publication you’ve written for.

After Your Interview

So, you’ve left them feeling really impressed by who you are and what you can offer their company. Don’t let them down now! Follow up with a brief, but cordial “thank you” note. This will leave a great impression while helping you stand out from your competition.

If you need help landing that “perfect” job, contact us. We’re happy to help!